Tube-reducing mill



Nov. 4 1924- R. E. BROCK TUBE REDUCING MILL 1 Filed May 14 was 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV- 4 y R. E. BROCK TUBE REDUCING MILL '5 Sheets-Sheet V Filed May 14 192! INVENTOR. 1W

44w ATTORNEY v.N ov 4,;19z4', 1,514,425 I RLE. BROCK Y TUBE REDUCING MILL File May 14 nan s Sheeis-Sheet 5 4, 192A. 1,514,425 v I. R. E. BROCK TUBE REDUCING MILL I F" May 1 s/sheez -sheet 4 J94 I w 1....1 1 Jig] IL l as:

4/ 4 I flVX ENTOB.

Nov. 4

R. E. BROCK TUBE REDUCING MILL Fil M y 14 19?. 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD iafnnocx. or woosTER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MES-NE ASSIGNMENTS, TO' MACKINTOSH-HEMPHILL COMPANY, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A com PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TUBE-REDUCING MILL.

Application filed May 14, 1921 Serial No. 469,608.

To all who). it may concern:

Be it known that l, RICHARD E. BROOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wooster, in the county of Wayne and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tube-Reducing Mills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved type of mill forpiercing solid blanks for seamless tubes or for reducing or expanding them. The object ofthe invention is to provide for the production efliciently and rapidly of pierced billets of widely varyin size and thickness of the walls, by rapid and easy adjustment, without the delay heretofore necessary in changing rolls or making radical readjustment of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine in which it is possible to so adjust theroll's that the work of piercing a thick wall or a thin-wall tube may be maintained substantiallyat a constant and avoid the necessity of installing drives or motors of capacities sufficient to pierce the billets under the most disadvantageous condition which will consequently be over size for much of the work which may be put upon the machine. By this means, the costof installation is considerably reduced.

A further object is to provide means for ex 'ianding a pierced billet by passing it snccessivelv through the machine sothat a uniform diameter of billets or blanks may be used to produce a variety/of sizes of pierced tubes.

The present invention is an improvement upon and development of the tube reduc- 40 ing mill of my prior Patent No. 1,211,070,

dated January 2, 1917, and'it' will be'understood that the initial piercing of the billet is effected in connection with a central pierc ing point and mandrel, as is well understood and practiced in this art.

' In the drawings, which illustrate one preferred embodiment ofthe invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of

the machine showing the cross roll housing and the accompanying adjusting and I actuating mechanism for the several parts,

indicated by the line II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the cross roll housing frame and its several parts, at

right angles to-the path of the billets, indicated generally by the section line II--II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line III III of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view of the machine in vation;

Fig. 6 is a detail face view of the cam actiating mechanism for the rocking frame; an

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View therethrough on the line VIIVII of Fig. 5.

Generally stated, the mechanism comprises means for introducing the blank, either solid when the piercing operation is end eleutilized, or in the form of a hollow blank for successive treatment and finishing in connection with a suitable mandrel and pushing mechanism, between a pair of cross rolls. Also means for retaining the blank between the rolls, and for adjusting such retaining means; means for adjustin the cross rolls themselves, and for swlvelly mounting and tilting them; and various other features and details of construction,

as shall be more fully hereinafter described/ In rolling by my improved machine, the solid blank or pierced billet, as the case may be, is passed horizontally between two crossrolls 2, 2, arranged for operation at opposing angles, as is usual in such mills, mounted by their journals 3 at each end in capped bearings 4 of a rigid continuous sliding frame 5 arranged for angular tilting within an outer supporting frame.

Frame 5, which carries the roll 2, one at each side of the normal middle pass position, extends rearwardly from the roll towards each end of the machine, and its middle portion surrounds the'rear of the roll by a wall 6' which is spaced away from the roll and slopes downwardly and inwardly toward the middlebottom forming a'scale guard or apron 7. B this means, any scale released from the r0 ls is retained and delivered to a middle collecting cavity for removal. i

Roll frame 5 is slidably mounted in suitble ways 8 of a tilting or partly revoluble cradle frame 9 mounted upon annular bearing faces of the main frame 10 with suitable intervening bearing material 11, as babbitt.

A similarly curved face 12 of cap 56 forming an embracing portion for each cradle frame 9. similarly engages its upper pcripheral bearing face. and is securely held upon the main housing by bolts 1-3. while the entire machine is supported by its housing pedestals upon the usual mill shoes or foundations lat.

Inward movement of roll housing frames 5 is imparted by pairs ofsclcws 1.) hearing by inner terminal shoes 16 against the outer face of each frame in the manner of clamps so as to allow for tilting adjustment when released. Screws are mounted in lixed nuts 17 of main frame 1 and are simultaneously rotated by gears 18 in spline engagement with the screws b v keys 19. Gears 18 are driven by middle gear 20 and its bevel extension 21, forming a combination spur and mitre gear, through bevel gear 22 sleeved upon shaft 23 and supported in bushing 24 at each end of the machine. A spring pressed clutch is splined on shaft 23 and has a releasing lever 26 for transmitting and disconnecting power to gear 22 and the screws 15, in either direction. Shaft 23 is driven through bevel gears 2T28 and shaft.,29 from reversible motor 80. and a train of reducing gears 31-32 at proper speed. a

The slidable frame 5 carrying roll 2 at each side is retracted away in reverse of inward movement by the constantpressure within hydraulic cylinder 33 acting against plunger with a cross head 35 to the opposite ends of which are secured the ends of tie rods 36 whichextend inwardly and engage the roll frame 5, as indicated at 37.

Cylinder 83 is rigidly secured to frame 10 by bolts 38 and its axial center coincides with that of the cradle frame 9. so that it conveniently serves as a journal bearing for combination gear 20. as shown. The tie rods being connected to the roll frame 5 which is partly rotated by the cradle. will correspondingly rotate with it. as will also cross head 35 and plunger 34 in cylinder 33. it be-' ing understood that annular slots 39pro vide for clearance of the rods where they pass through the stationary framing.

For the purpose of simultaneously tilting cross rolls 2. 2. in opposite directions. means are provided for similarly actuating them by their slidable housings 5 in their supporting cradles 9. as follows. In the lower outer portion of each cradle frame is a cam cavity each having an inserted inverted U- shaped liner box 40. preferably of steel. with inner parallel sides for engagemei'it with an actuating cam 41. and fixedly bolted to the cradle. Cams 41. 41. one at each end, are each keyed or otherwise fixed to their individual shafts 42 and occupy positions Said plunger extends outs wardly through the cyllnder and is provided within their respective. liner boxes at lSO degrees apart. i. e.. with their centers in opposit directions in eccentric relation to the coin iding centers of their shafts 42. Thisarrangement provides for opposing movement of the cams. so that each will throw its cradle in a direction reverse to that of the other for simultaneous tilting in opposing directions. to increase or re- (luce the slant of the rolls at each side of the middle horizontal path of the blank.

Each shaft 12 is provided with a gear I} in mesh with a pinion -14 of continuous shaft 45 extending along underneath and in suitable bearings '16 of the main frame 10. .-\t each end shaft 45 is provided with a ratchet wheel 47 and a lever 48 pivoted on the shaft having a reversible pawl 49, by which the shaft is intermittently actuated to adjust the cradles by simultaneous cam engagement. by using either lever, as will be readily understood.

Mounted centrally below the normal pass of the blank and between the cross rolls 2 is an anvil pedestal hearing or support 50 having an anvil block 51, capable of removal and substitution, for supporting the blank during the reducing operation immediately below the working position or pass of the cross rolls. A co-acting upper bearing block 52 is carried underneath a vertically adjustable cross-head 53 which in turn is removably secured by T-bolts 54 at each end to vertically movable crossheads 55. 55, slidably mounted in suitable ways in the upper frame cap member 56 of the machine.

Each crosshead carries a nut 57 engaged by screw 58 extending upwardly through journal bearings 59 in the. cap member and provided with a terminal spur gear 60. Mounted on intermediate shaft 61 is a combined spur and bevel gear wheel 62. the spur teeth of which intermesh with gears 60. 60. and actuate them together as the bevel gear teeth are driven by a bevel pinion 63. Said bevel pinion is sleeved on shaft 2.) within bearing 64: and is provided with a clutch terminal 65 by which the gear operativclv connected with the driving shaft through clutch 66 having the operating lever 67. By this means. the bearing block is adjusted with relation to the anvil block 51. utilizing the power of motor 30 through the gearing described.

As stated before. roll housing frames 5 are adjusted toward each other simultaneously through operation of screws 15 and their operating gearing from shaft 29 in opposition to the constant pressure within hydraulic cylinder acting against plunger 34, and tending to retract the rolls 2-when inward pressure through screws 15 is reversed.

Hydraulic cylinder 33 is connected in the usual Way to an accumulator of ordinary of shaft 29 in one direction or the otheizand for the purpose of showing the condition at alltinies, including the spacing ot the rolls 2, I provide an -indicating' dial 6%; Said dial is pivoted on a vertical stud in standard 69 mounted on cap'56 provided vith a pointer 70 in fixed. relation to the rotatable dial,'and the dial is connected with a worm Wheel 71 in mesh with a worm on shaft 29. While the rolls may ordinarily be adjusted together. either one may be sep arately adjusted,independently, or one or both may be adjusted independent of the upper guide block crosshead or vice versa, by disconnecting clutch or clutches or clutch 66. as will be readily understood.

Vhen adjusted to proper angular position of the rolls 2, each housing is clamped fixedly In place by a binding wedge 72 engaging a gripping shoe t fitting around the upper periphery of cradle 9, as in Fig. 4.

A cross adjusting shaft 74 having a terminal turning head 75 and lock nut 76 engages through the Wedge 72 by a" threaded portion 77, providing for powerful holding engagement with the cradle in the manner of a brake, and also for immediate release for ad quickly and accurately tilt the roll housings and rolls to any desired angle. The wedge locking mechanism will firmly hold the era-"- dles when it is desired to sohold them, or by releasing the Wedges, the cradles may be altcrnately adjusted at will. The adjustment of the roll housings in their cradles the thrust of the temper screws in opposition to the normal retracting and cushioning action ofthe hydraulic cylinders and plungers, ensures accurate. prompt and easy setting of the rolls for the space of the pass. The intermediate supporting anvil and its co-acting upper block. together with the adjusting mechanism therefor, provides easily controlled power-actuated means for utilizing the main shaft of the motor through the clutch mechanism. while the indicators enable the operator to quickly and accurately make the necessary changes and adj ustmcnts as the operation of themachine proceeds.

The entire installation is very strong, sym-- metrical. and well designed for distribution of the various strains, and the machine is capable of contimious operation and large output within a very considerable range as to size-of tubes. without the necessity of changing rolls or substitution of other parts. It will he understood. of course, that the machine may be built to suit any practicable. size of blanks. or may be variously changed or modified in detail construction. or otherwise, by the skilled mechanic or builder, but that all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

hat l claim is:

1. ln atube' rolling mill. :1 pairof oontinuous'ly operable cross rolls, housings therefor. tilting fran'ies carrying the housings. means for adjusting the housings and their rolls towards or from each otherrembodying hydraulic plunger retracting mechanism. and means for independently actuating the tilting frames. i

In a tube mill having continuously operable cross rolls, a pair of oppositely arranged tilting frames, roll carriers slidably mounted in. the frames for adjusting move-.

ment towards and from each other, means for actuating the tilting frames and roll carriers, and wedge actuated mechanism for locking each tilting frame.

3. In a tube rollingmilha pair of continuously operable cross rolls; a tilting frame supporting and providing for angular adjustment of each cross roll. means for simultaneously adjusting each tilting frame, and means for clamping them in position.

4. A tube rolling mill having a pair of cross rolls, a fixed housing frame having outermost supporting portions, inner tilting frames; a slidable roll housing on each tilting fran ic, means exerting inward pressure against the slidable housing, and fiuid'controlled retracting means mounted in the outermost supporting portions of the hous ing. frame having retracting members extending inwardly thercthrough and through each tilting frame and connected with each slidable housing respectively.

5. A tube rolling mill having a pair of cross rolls, a fixed housing framehaving outermost supporting portions, inner tilting frames, a slidable roll housing on each tilting frame, means exerting" inward pressure means for adjusting the bearings and rolls frames of a cross rolling mill of the class described. oppositely acting cams in operative engagementwith the tilting frames. and

means for actuating the cams.

8. In combination with the oppositely disposed rolls and roll supporting tilt-ing frames of a ClflsS rolling mill of the class described, oppositely acting vcams in opera tive engagement with the tilting frames. means for actuating the cams togethen and means for indicating the degree of adjustment of the tilting frames.

9. In combination with the pair of cross rolls and an intermediate lower bearing anvil and means for adjusting the cross rolls, a co-acting upper anvil block, and means geared with the cross roll adjusting means for raising and lowering the upper anvil block.

10. In a rolling. mill of the class described having a pair of cross rolls and an intermediatelower bearing anvil, a vertically adjustable bearing block above the anvil and between the rolls, a vertically movable crosshead connected with each end of the bearing block and provided with a raising and lowering nut, an adjusting screw for each of said nuts, and gearing for turning the screwstogether to raise or block. v I

11. In a tube rolling. mill of the class lower the bearing described having a pair of cross rolls, the

combination with the cross rolls. of slidable frames therefor, tilting frames for the sliding frames, a lower bearing anvil, and an upper adjustable bearing block opposing the anvil. of gearing for actuating the slidable frames. a motor geared therewith and with the bearing block, slidablc. frame gearing and bearing block gearing, clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the motor with the slidable frame gearing'and with the bearing block gearing, means for adjusting the tilting frames, and means for driving thecross rolls.

12. In a tube rolling millof the class described, a pair of oppositely arranged tilting frames. a roll frameslidably mounted in each tilting frame, a continuously driven roll journalled in each roll frame, means for moving each roll frame back and forth, means for moving the tilting frames, and

r independent gearing for the slidable and tilting frames respectively.

13. In atube rolling mill, the combination with oppositely arranged slidably movable housing frames and rolls, of adjusting mechanism for advancing or receding each hous ing frame, gearing therefor, a main driving shaft, and interposed clutch mechanism for connecting or disconnecting the gearing for each roll housing with the main shaft.

14. In a tube rolling mill, the combination with oppositely arranged slidably movable housing frames and rolls, and an inter posed adjustable bearing block, of adjusting mechanism for advancing or receding each housing frame and the bearing block, gearing therefor, a main driving shaft, andinterposed clutch mechanism for connectingvor disconnecting the gearing for each roll housing and for the bearing block with the main shaft. H

15. In a tube rolling mill embodying a pair of continuously operable cross rolls throughoutvarying positions thereof, a rigid slidablehousing frame having journal bearings for the roll at each end, and an intervening rear wall spaced from and partly surrounding the roll, sloping downwardly and providing a scale delivery apron.

16. In a tube rolling mill embodying a.

pair of continuously operable cross rolls throughout varying positions thereof, a rigid slidable housing frame having jour: nal bearings for the roll at each end, and an intervening rear wallspaced fromand partly surrounding the roll, and sloping downwardly to provide-a scale collecting and discharging chute.

17. The combination with arfixed housing frame, of a tilting frame mounted therein, a slidable, roll housing mounted in the.

ing frame, pressure screws mounted in the fixed housing frame extending through the tilting frame and engaging the slidable housing, actuating gearing therefor. a by draulic cylinder and a plunger therein having connections extending through the fixed housing frame and tilting frame and connected with the slidable frame.

19. The combination with a fixed housing frame, of a tilting frame mounted therein, a slidable roll housing mounted in the tilting frame, pressure screws mounted in the fixed housing frame extending through the tilting frame and engaging the slidable housing, actuating gearing therefor, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the fixed housing framevand providing an exterior gear bearing, a plunger in said cylinder provided with a terminal orosshead and con nections therefrom extending backwardly through the fixed housing frame and tilting frame and connected with the slidable frame, and gearing for transmitting movement to the pressure screws mounted on the hydraulic cylinder;

20. The combination with a fixed housing frame, of a. tilting frame mounted therein, a slidable roll housing mounted in the tilting frame, pressure screws mounted in the fixed housing frame extending through the tilting frame and pfovided with terminal shoes adapted to abut against the rear face of the slidable roll housing, actuating gearing therefor, and hydraulic retracting mechanism exerting a reverse pull on the slidable frame.

21. In combination with a pair of tilting frames each supporting a slidably mounted roll housing in operative connection with actuating mechanism therefor, cam mecha-' nism engaging the lower portion of each tilting frame for simultaneously and equal- 1y tilting the frames in opposite directions and to an equal degree, and means embodying a common shaft having an operating lever at each end for actuating the cam mechanism together. 4

22. In combination with a pair of tilting frames each supporting a slidably mounted 'roll housing in operative connection with actuating mechanism therefor, cam mechanism engaging the lower portion of each tilting frame forsimultaneously and equally tilting the frames in opposite directions and to an equal degree, and means embodying a common shaft having an operating lever at each end for actuating the cam mechanism'togethcr and providedwith an indicator showing the degree of tilt.

In testimony whereof I- hereunto afiix my signature.

RICHARD E. BROOK. 

